Ideal group to play an eightsome reel? (5)

I believe the answer is:

octet

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'ideal group' is the definition.
'octet' can be an answer for 'group' (group of eight musicians). I am not sure about the 'ideal' bit.

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for octet that I've seen before include "Musical work for eight" , "Group of eight, say singers" , "Music for eight" , "Mendelssohn or Schubert piece" , "Medieval Latin hymn" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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